Photo: Malene Thyssen (User Malene) (CC BY-SA 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Silvertip Tetra (Hasemania nana)
A coppery-gold schooling tetra that flashes brilliant white fin tips — fast-moving, feisty and surprisingly bold for a nano fish.
Will it live with a Silvertip Tetra?
We compare each fish against your silvertip tetra on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Adolf's Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5.5 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Adolf's Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Agassiz's Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Agassiz's Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Axelrod's Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Axelrod's Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bandit Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Bandit Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blackline Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Blackline Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blood Red Tiger Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bloodfin Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5.5 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Bloodfin Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blue Turbo Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 25–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Butterfly Hillstream Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Diamond Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Diamond Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Duplicareus Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5.5 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Duplicareus Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Elegant Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Elegant Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- False Julii Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep False Julii Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- German Blue Ram✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 27–30 °C (81–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 27–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Glass Bloodfin Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Glass Bloodfin Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Hillstream Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Horseman Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Horseman Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Japanese Trapdoor Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Julii Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Julii Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Masked Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Masked Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Narcissus II Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5.5 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Narcissus II Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Panda Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Panda Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rust Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5.5 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Rust Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Skunk Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Skunk Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Amano Shrimp⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra may eat Amano Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Checkered Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
- Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Checkered Barb at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Checkered Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Cherry Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Cherry Barb at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Cherry Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Chocolate Gourami⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Hard care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Chocolate Gourami at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Chocolate Gourami in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Cochu's Blue Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Cochu's Blue Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add cochu's blue tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Cochu's Blue Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Firehead Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Firehead Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Firehead Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Five-banded Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Five-banded Barb — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Five-banded Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Forktail Blue-eye⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Forktail Blue-eye are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add forktail blue-eye in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Forktail Blue-eye in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Half-striped Penguin Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Half-striped Penguin Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Half-striped Penguin Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Harlequin Rasbora⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Harlequin Rasbora at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Harlequin Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Honey Gourami⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Honey Gourami are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add honey gourami in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Humpbacked Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Humpbacked Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Morse Code Corydoras⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Morse Code Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Mystery Snail⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Mystery Snail — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rummy-nose Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–29 °C (73–84 °F)
- Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Rummy-nose Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Rummy-nose Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotfin Betta⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Spotfin Betta can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Silvertip Tetra and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Size gap is too large (250 vs 5 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Silvertip Tetra as food.
- Alligator Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy silvertip tetra shoal tends to nip at it. Keep silvertip tetra in a proper group of 6+ and watch them closely.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Clown Knifefish (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 5 cm Silvertip Tetra whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra is bite-sized to a 100 cm predatory fire eel — it will be eaten.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Size gap is too large (90 vs 5 cm): Koi will treat Silvertip Tetra as food.
- Silvertip Tetra is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Koi is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 6+ with plenty of cover.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Silvertip Tetra and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 5 cm Silvertip Tetra whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Silvertip Tetra and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Size gap is too large (90 vs 5 cm): Spotted Gar will treat Silvertip Tetra as food.
- Spotted Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy silvertip tetra shoal tends to nip at it. Keep silvertip tetra in a proper group of 6+ and watch them closely.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Silvertip Tetra and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Silvertip Tetra is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (72 vs 5 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Silvertip Tetra as food.
- Silvertip Tetra is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Wolf Cichlid is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 6+ with plenty of cover.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Silvertip Tetra care specs
- Care level
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- Min tank size
- 60 L (15.9 gal)
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 4–15 dGH
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Swim level
- Middle
- Group size
- 6+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- South America — São Francisco river basin, eastern Brazil
What is a Silvertip Tetra?
The silvertip tetra (Hasemania nana) is a small, lively characid from eastern Brazil, best known for the crisp white tips that edge every fin on its warm copper-orange body. At a maximum of 5 cm (2 in) it is unmistakably a nano fish, yet it carries a bold, assertive personality that punches well above its size. When a school of six or more wheels under the tank light, the white fin tips flash in unison — an effect that rivals more expensive tetras at a fraction of the price.
Hasemania nana belongs to family Characidae alongside neons, cardinals and black skirts, but stands out within that family for lacking an adipose fin — a tiny lobe between the dorsal and tail fins present on most characids. That anatomical quirk is a reliable identification check at the store.
Silvertips are semi-aggressive — not a fish to mix casually with slow, veil-finned species — but in a well-chosen community they are active and almost effortless to maintain. For constant motion, metallic colour and genuine personality, they belong on any shortlist.
Where do Silvertip Tetras come from?
Wild silvertip tetras are endemic to the São Francisco river basin of eastern Brazil — a geologically distinct drainage that does not connect to the Amazon. The São Francisco passes through open savannah and gallery forest, producing water that ranges from soft and mildly acidic in the upper reaches to harder and more neutral lower down. That natural variability is why silvertips tolerate a broader parameter window than most South American tetras.
In their native rivers they school in the middle water column of clear, well-lit stretches with submerged vegetation and leaf litter, picking off insects, crustaceans and plant matter. That origin maps directly onto ideal aquarium conditions: warm, variable-chemistry water with cover and open midwater swimming space.
What Tank Size and Setup do Silvertip Tetras Need?
A minimum of 60 litres (16 gallons) is the practical starting point for a group of six. A slightly longer tank of 75–90 L (20–24 gal) gives the school the horizontal run they need and reduces the territorial friction that comes with cramped space.
Setup choices that make a real difference: dark sand or gravel intensifies the copper colouring; moderate (not bright) lighting brings out the white fin tips; dense planting around the perimeter with open midwater swimming space mirrors the natural habitat; a piece of driftwood or some catappa leaves provide visual breaks that reduce chasing. Keep filter flow gentle to moderate and fit a lid — silvertips are capable jumpers.
What Water Parameters do Silvertip Tetras Need?
One of the practical strengths of this species is its wide parameter tolerance:
- Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F) — a heater set to 25 °C (77 °F) sits comfortably in the middle.
- pH: 6.0–8.0 — unusually broad for a South American characid; most conditioned tap water is fine.
- Hardness: 4–15 dGH — accommodates soft and moderately hard supplies alike.
Stability matters more than hitting precise numbers. A cycled filter and weekly 25–30% water changes prevent the faded colour and frayed fins that signal stress in neglected tanks.
What do Silvertip Tetras Eat?
Silvertips are omnivores with a preference for small animal matter. A quality micro-pellet or small tropical flake forms the staple, fed once or twice daily in amounts consumed within two minutes. Frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp and bloodworms offered two or three times a week noticeably deepen the copper colouration. They will also graze algae and accept blanched vegetable matter, though protein is the priority.
They are active mid-water feeders and compete well at mealtimes without special accommodation. Avoid overfeeding — excess food degrades water quality quickly in smaller tanks.
How do Silvertip Tetras Behave, and What Fish Can Live with Them?
Silvertips are energetic, curious and semi-aggressive — the defining trait keepers need to plan around. They are persistent fin-nippers toward slow, long-finned fish. Bettas, angelfish, fancy guppies and any veil-tailed species are poor companions and should be avoided.
Within their own school they establish a loose pecking order, with some chasing and sparring that is normal and not harmful as long as the group is large enough. Six is the minimum; eight to ten is better. A larger group spreads individual attention and produces tighter, calmer schooling.
Good community companions share these traits: similarly sized, short-finned, active, and occupying a different tank zone. Reliable pairings include cherry barbs, corydoras catfish, danios, hardy rasboras, black skirt tetras, and small loaches. Species that are significantly smaller may be harassed, so match sizes thoughtfully.
For a full, filterable list of species that work alongside silvertips, see Silvertip Tetra tank mates.
How do you Tell Male from Female Silvertip Tetras?
Sexing silvertip tetras is straightforward in adult fish, though juveniles can be difficult to distinguish:
- Males are more intensely copper-orange, with the metallic colouring extending strongly onto the body and fins. They tend to be slightly slimmer in profile.
- Females are noticeably paler — closer to a dull gold or straw colour — and develop a distinctly rounder, deeper belly when in spawning condition. This body shape difference is the most reliable visual cue.
Colour contrast is most obvious when the fish are in good health and on a nutritious diet. Under stress or on a poor diet, males fade and the difference narrows.
How do Silvertip Tetras Breed?
Silvertips are egg scatterers rated at medium breeding difficulty. They will spawn readily but adults immediately eat their eggs, so a separate breeding tank of 20–30 L is necessary. Outfit it with fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, a sponge filter for very gentle flow, slightly soft acidic water around pH 6.5–7.0, and subdued lighting. Condition a pair on live or frozen foods for one to two weeks before introducing them.
Spawning typically happens in the morning. Remove the adults as soon as spawning is complete. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours; free-swimming fry accept infusoria or commercial fry food first, then graduate to baby brine shrimp.
What Diseases Affect Silvertip Tetras?
Silvertips are hardy but share the common vulnerabilities of small tetras:
- Ich (white spot): Tiny white grains on body and fins; almost always introduced on new fish or equipment. A two-to-four-week quarantine for new arrivals is the best prevention.
- Fin rot: Ragged, receding fin edges driven by bacterial infection and poor water quality. Regular water changes and a cycled filter are the primary defence.
- Velvet (Oodinium): A dusty gold or rusty sheen sometimes mistaken for reflected light. Careful observation in the first weeks with new fish catches it early.
- Neon tetra disease: Rare in silvertips but possible in any characid; fading colour patches unresponsive to treatment are the warning sign. Quarantine is the only reliable safeguard.
Health note: disease identification and medication dosing are outside the scope of a care profile. If your fish show symptoms, confirm against a reputable fish-health or veterinary resource before treating. Always address water quality first — the majority of freshwater fish illness traces back to a water-chemistry or maintenance problem.
How Long do Silvertip Tetras Live?
A well-kept silvertip tetra lives 3–5 years — typical for a small characid. The key drivers are consistent care: stable water, a varied diet, a group of at least six and compatible tank-mates. Adults bought from a store may already be a year into that span; juveniles started from the beginning will show the full range.
The species is not a long-lived display fish, but a mature school banking through a well-planted tank — white fin tips catching the light with every turn — is one of the more satisfying sights in the freshwater hobby.
Frequently asked questions
Are silvertip tetras fin nippers?
They can be. Silvertips are energetic and will nip the long fins of slow tank-mates such as angelfish, bettas or fancy guppies. Keep them in a group of six or more to spread their attention, and pair them with robust, short-finned fish to minimise problems.
Do silvertip tetras need soft, acidic water?
They are native to soft, slightly acidic water but adapt well to a broad range — pH 6.0–8.0 and 4–15 dGH — making them unusually flexible for a South American tetra. Most tap water suits them without special treatment.
What you need to keep a silvertip tetra
The baseline is a heated, filtered 60 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a silvertip tetra in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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